Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-03
A Marrow Escape.

LIN CO-ulgnC, anu he uuSt DoWdre =
shaking her head coquettishly.
"But, my dear girl, he is infatuated
with Clara Dunton."
"Then Clara Dunton must look
put." laughed Iona, when, looking at
her watch, she discovered it was time
% 60 and dress.
When Miss Rose entered the draw
ing-room she created thrill of admi-
ration. She bowed coolly to Mr.. Percy
and smiled on the others.
Miss Dunton, for a reader, lecturer
,ad woman who advocated woman's
sghts, was playing remarkably
feak and unreliant role. She was
llst saying when Iona came in
nat she got so tired of the battle
4 life sometimes; and after Miss
koss' little breezy disturbance MIR.
Percy, who was under the spell of the
nchantress and thought Miss Dunton
,out as near perfection as women
,nerally are, leaned forward and said
an aside: "Why not throw your
irdens on stronger shoulders, then ?"
"Alas! have but little faith in
aily ones strength, with a soft little
t1dttering sigh that touched the heart,
as she meant ii should.
"Let me teach you faith," he said.
Aunt Mary and Mrs. Bridgewater
were in deep conversation.
He had almost forgotten Iona until
e casually glanced in her direction,
md met the scornful gaze of her
proud, dark eyes, and a look of utter
contempt on her face, whether for
himself or his companion he could not
ell. He made some trivial remark
) her.
She answered him calmly and
Idly, and then he said, "Do, Miss
lnton, favor us with some music"
ancing toward the open piano.
5ho hesitated moment, colored
atly, and then said. "Not tonight,
ank YOU"
Mr.. Percy was a gentleman, but in
ne things very peculiar and straight
ward, as in his question that fol-
wed Immediately:
"You do play, don't you, Miss Dun
onr'
Mrs. Bridgewater was looking at her
trangely.
She dared not tell an untruth and SO
aid:
"No, l am sorry to say that 1 never
I'D much desire to learn"
Indeed! / think music rare &C.
,omplishment."
There was visible Disappointment in
gentleman's tone, but Aunt Mary.
hing to the rescue, said in herquiet
": "Perhaps Iona will play for u.s.
lsOh, excuse me! l had forgotten
t Miss Ross played. Favor us,
ase."
DR.. Percy conducted her to the
no, where Iona felt that she should
p her benefit in his eyes.
de was passionately fond of
tsic, and Miss Ross played and sang
th soul and spirit.
"You sing beautifully, Miss Ross, "
said, when she arose to leave the
Jtrument.
THANK you," she replied, quietly.
Edward Percy walked home in a
ry thoughtful mood after he had
lid good night.
Sf'Strange, I never noticed what a
possessing girl Iona Ross was be-
e, he thought. "She would GER
nly grace any mans home. But
wouldn't be fool enough to fall in
e with me; and, if she did, she
,uldn't crafty my self-love enough
let me know it. However, l begin
like the girl"
A few evenings later our friends
.ain met at Aunt Mary's. Again
ma was importuned TO sing and play,
lis time Edward Percy's rich bass
ining in with her clear, sweet So
anO.
After the music ceased he seemed
absorbed in Iona's carelessly inde-
ndent sayings that Miss Dunton
gged leave to read. She read her
.ections well indeed; but she had
acticed for hours for this very scca-
a. Then she entered into discus
IN of their merits with Mr.. Percy.
In a lull of the conversation, and
hen the interest had somewhat
sgged, Aunt Mary said: "That re-
'nds me of some poetry I would like
u to hear. 1 will find the pieces"
She returned at last with them, Miss
lnton inwardly expecting that she
puld be the one to read them. But
INT Mary handed them to Iona, say
8: "Herc, Iona, give me your opin-
ION these"
lena commenced to read at once
voice that faltered a little, but
.dually grew strong, firm and full,
npletely throwing Miss Dunten
4 her accomplishments in the
de, and yet Mr.. Percy knew that
Ross was not q public reader.
laid the paper down, trembling
IDLY. She had won Miss Dunton's
lrels, and she knew it.
That lady and Mrs. Bridgewater
n after departed, but Mr.. Percy
remained. Aunt Mary went out
left the two alone. Iona was still
Abling, for in trying to win Mr..
fcy's heart. she had lost her own
sver, as she realized now, bitterly
ligh. OF course he would never
for her, and she would go back
lout doing what she came here to
arose and went over to her side,
ng. "Miss Iona, would you crafty
self-love enough to tell me that
cared for me if yon did?"
No."
But care for you, my dear, SO
lch that ! can't have you go back to
" home until you promise not to
me-"
] don't hate you."
But do you love me? That is what
Int to know"
md that you have no right to ask,
aave only the right Of ; man